Roma Garden celebrates the Eternal City’s food, music

Restaurateur Renato DiAntonio loves Rome and music, not necessarily in that order. His Roma Garden Italian Restaurant celebrates both.

"I love Rome and all its gardens. We serve authentic Roman food," DiAntonio says of the restaurant that opened in April at 5715 S. Pecos Road. Thus, the pizza has thin crust, and there are special sauces.

Also a musician and singer, DiAntonio adds, "I built the restaurant for the music. The red and yellow colors in the decor are the colors of Rome." The piano, at which he entertains nightly with classical and modern music, also is red.

This is his first restaurant. His second will open in Rio de Janeiro "in six months," he says.

Roma Garden is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with dinner served from 3 to 10 p.m. There is a calendar of special events covering dinners and entertainment. Friday and Saturday nights feature dance competitions. Every two months, there's a special six-course Italian dinner accompanied by selections from 50 years of Italian music.

DiAntonio has also hosted fundraisers to further opera in Las Vegas.

The restaurant features lunch specials such as chicken Caesar salad and soup ($9.95) and choice of pasta with soup or salad ($9.50). Pizza specials, including margherita, pepperoni and salsiccia (sausage), are $8.50 and available only for takeout.

Appetizers: Bruschetta ($5); artichoke alla Romana sauteed with garlic, mint, white wine and extra virgin olive oil ($7.50); fried calamari ($9)

Soups and salads: Artichoke salad ($8.50); Caesar salad (small, $6; large, $8.50); steak salad ($14.50); wedding soup, pasta fagioli, minestrone and soup of the day ($5.50)

Sandwiches: Prosciutto ($7); New York steak ($9); eggplant parmigiana ($7.50); Italian sausage ($7)

Pasta: Angel hair pomodoro basilico ($9.50); spaghetti and meatballs ($11.50); linguine and Manila clams ($15.50); gnocchi al pesto ($12.50); linguine pescatora, pasta with mixed seafood ($17.95); fettuccine impazzite ("Crazy Pasta"), with bell peppers, spinach, capers, kalamata olives, parsley and light cream sauce ($13.50)

Risotti: Funghi porcini, with porcini mushrooms ($4.95); risotto vegetariano, with mixed vegetables, choice of white wine or tomato sauce ($4.95); creme di gamberri, with prawns, garlic in pink sauce ($17.50)

Entrees: Eggplant parmigiana ($11.95); veal piccata ($21.50); saltimbocca alla Romana ($23.50); filet mignon ($24.95); salmone alla puttanesca, Atlantic salmon with tomato sauce, olives, anchovies, capers ($17.95); sole or shrimp Francese ($15.50)

Desserts: Tiramisu ($5.50); cannoli with chocolate chip in filling ($3.50) or dipped in chocolate ($4); cheesecake of the day ($6); chocolate fondant cake ($6.50)

Information: 873-1348